SaberCats Survive Overtime Thriller Over Rush 84-77
Sunday May 27, 2012
SAN JOSE, CALIF. – After rallying to tie the game with ten seconds remaining in regulation, the San Jose SaberCats (8-3) won an overtime thriller, 84-77 over the Chicago Rush (6-4) in front over 9,036 fans at HP Pavilion in San Jose on Saturday night. Although they trailed until the game’s final seconds, the SaberCats came back to force overtime and were able to secure the victory on defensive back Vince Hill’s fourth interception of the season.
Quarterback Mark Grieb completed 33-of-45 passes for 417 yards and nine touchdowns and wide receiver James Roe had seven catches for 108 yards and three touchdowns, moving him into sole possession of fourth-place all-time with 267 touchdowns in his illustrious career. Wide receiver Samora Goodson caught ten passes for 120 yards and fellow receiver Huey Whittaker hauled in five balls for 91 yards as each amassed three touchdowns apiece.
The Rush jumped out to an early lead when quarterback Russ Michna found wide receiver Reggie Gray for a five-yard touchdown. On San Jose’s first drive, quarterback Mark Grieb put to rest any lingering concerns from last week’s tough performance, completing a pass to Whittaker who paused, spun around a Rush defender and scampered into the end zone for the 31-yard score. Michna delivered a 37-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jared Perry under pressure, and Grieb answered by teaming with wide receiver James Roe on an 11-yard touchdown to conclude the first quarter scoring, 14-14.
Gray ran in for a score, and Chicago’s subsequent kickoff took a tricky hop off the bar and eluded SaberCats kick returner Ruschard Dodd-Masters and his personal protector Hank Edwards, ending up in the arms of defensive back Semaj Moody for the touchdown. The ‘Cats rebounded, as wide receiver Samora Goodson hauled in a reception and found the end zone from seven yards out, 28-21 Rush. The teams then traded scores, with Michna hitting Gray from 20 yards out and SaberCats running back Johnie Kirton rumbling in from 1-yard to close the gap, 35-28. Backup quarterback Luke Dron scored from two yards on a keeper, and Goodson converted a 15-yard touchdown, pulling the ‘Cats to 42-35 in a first half offensive shootout.
San Jose began the second half scoring in style, as Roe hauled in a 26-yard touchdown for the 266th of his career, moving him into sole possession of fourth place all-time. Kicker Nich Pertuit’s impressive streak of 41 consecutive extra points ended as the kick was blocked, 42-41 Rush. Wide receivers Perry and Roe exchanged touchdowns, and Rush offensive lineman TJ Watkins barreled in from 18 yards to stretch Chicago’s lead to 56-48 at the end of three quarters.
Kirton pushed his way in from three yards out to bring the SaberCats within a point at 56-55. Wide receiver Terrance Turner snagged a six-yard touchdown pass, Grieb hit Roe on a 13-yard scoring strike and Gray grabbed a 15-yarder to give Chicago a 70-62 lead with 1:46 remaining. Rush defensive back Brian Lainhart intercepted a deep pass in the end zone, but San Jose forced a Chicago fumble on fourth down, taking over on the visitors’ 11-yard line. Grieb immediately hit Goodson, who came down with the touchdown catch as he flipped over the wall. The tandem of Grieb and Roe struck again in the clutch, as the wide receiver caught the two-point conversion to tie the game at 70-70. Michna then hit Perry for a 47-yard touchdown with 20 seconds left, but Grieb responded yet again by hitting Whittaker in the corner of the end zone with two Rush defensive backs hot on his trail. Chicago’s 54-yard game-winning field goal attempt fell short, and the game went into overtime at 77-77.
The SaberCats pushed down field to start the extra period, with Kirton extending his arm across the goal line for a four-yard score, his third touchdown on the night. On Chicago’s first play, Hill picked off Michna’s pass in the end zone, sealing the SaberCats victory as HP Pavilion erupted.
Michna finished 25-of-32 for 351 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception, Gray had nine catches for 131 and three scores and Perry caught eight balls for 137 yards and three touchdowns.
With the win, the SaberCats improved to 7-0 this season when scoring 60 or more points and have not lost a home game since May 28, 2011.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 OT Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -- -----
Chicago Rush .. 14 28 14 21 0 77
San Jose SaberCats .. 14 21 13 29 7 84
National Guard MVP of the Game: CHI – QB Russ Michna
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game: CHI – WR Reggie Gray
Riddell Defensive Player of the Game: CHI – DB Brandon Brinkley
JLS Ironman: SJ – WR/LB Huey Whittaker
AFL Playmaker of the Game: SJ – WR James Roe
Cutters Catch of the Game: SJ – WR Huey Whittaker’s fourth quarter 28-yard touchdown with 10 seconds left to tie the game.
Spalding Highlight of the Game: SJ – WR James Roe’s third quarter touchdown, when he passed Barry Wagner for fourth all time in career touchdown receptions.
ABOUT THE SAN JOSE SABERCATS
The ArenaBowl XVI, XVIII and XXI champion San Jose SaberCats, are in their 16th season in the Arena Football League. Fans and sponsors can go to thesanjosesabercats.com or call 408-673-3400 to sign up to receive the latest news and updates about the SaberCats, as well as to purchase pro-rated 2012 season tickets. Make sure to follow the SaberCats on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news on the team.
